MS Maze

Health Care for America Now presents The Health Care Mash:

Happy Halloween!

Just when his loved ones need his presence, his strength, and his moral support the most, this American husband and father will be absent. In what most certainly had to be a gut-wrenching decision, Bill Caudle sacrificed that role in order to see that his wife’s medical needs would be met as she battles — for the third time — a form of cancer that kills almost 15,000 women in the United States each year. This story really speaks volumes: Man Joins Army to Save Wife’s Life – It’s All About the Health Care.

The Affordable Health Care for America Act Includes a Weakened Public Option and next week promises to be interesting as the House begins negotiations. The health care debate rages on…

Multiple sclerosis is the ultimate player. First you see it, then you don’t. If you are confused about MS, you are far from alone. Find out the Basics to Understanding Multiple Sclerosis.

Here’s a question for you… it is one of the top ten leading causes of death in the United States. It is largely preventable and hits you when you’re down. What Causes 99,000 Deaths and is Largely Preventable? Hmmm… you’ll have to click on over to the post to find out.

Just had the opportunity to see the movie Milk, starring Sean Penn, brilliant as always. I didn’t realize this was the case that involved the “Twinkie defense.” If you have the chance, do watch it.

I received a nice new LinkedIn recommendation for which I am very grateful. I’m not speaking for all writers here, but I simply eat up positive feedback, especially when it comes from an editor. My day was further brightened by an email from Lori Schneider, the woman with MS who climbed Mount Everest. She read an article I wrote for Care2 titled “A Typical Life with Multiple Sclerosis” and wanted to express her support. She’s a very inspiring lady, and I was thrilled to hear from her. Thanks, Lori.

Writing is a rush, especially when you realize you’ve touched someone or given them something to ponder. Freelancing certainly adds to the excitement. I just received notice that an article I wrote two years ago will be published soon. I’d long given up on that one and it just goes to prove, once again, that the writing life is anything but predictable. Hallelujah!

Read more:
Care2 – Healthy & Green Living with MS
Care2 Reform Health Policy

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Photo: CDC

It is one of the top ten leading causes of death in the United States, responsible for an estimated 99,000 deaths per year. It is largely preventable and hits you when you’re down.

It is health care-associated infection. You get it when you go to the hospital for treatment, but end up with the added problem of a life-threatening infection.

Mandatory public reporting of health care-acquired infections and preventable medical errors will spur quality improvement. You can help by asking your representatives to support legislation to improve the prevention, detection, and treatment of healthcare-acquired infections.

Find out how you can be part of the solution… read this post in its entirety:

What Causes 99,000 Deaths and is Largely Preventable?

“Today we are about to deliver on the promise of making affordable quality health care available for all Americans, laying the foundation for a brighter future for generations to come. The Affordable Health Care for America Act is founded on key principals of American success — opportunity, choice, competition, and innovation. We have listened to the American people. We are putting forth a bill that reflects our best values and addresses our greatest challenges.” – Nancy Pelosi, October 29, 2009

Read this post in its entirety:

Affordable Health Care for America Act includes Weakened Public Option

Photo: Wout J Reinders

Just when his loved ones need his presence, his strength, and his moral support the most, this American husband and father will be absent.

In what most certainly had to be a gut-wrenching decision, 39 year-old Bill Caudle sacrificed that role in order to see that his wife’s medical needs would be met as she battles — for the third time — a form of cancer that kills almost 15,000 women in the United States each year.

This story really speaks volumes. Read it in its entirety here:

Man Joins Army to Save Wife’s Life – It’s All About the Health Care.

Multiple sclerosis is the ultimate player. First you see it, then you don’t. If you are confused about MS, you are far from alone.

First, what it is not: multiple sclerosis is not the same as muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy. All people with MS are not in wheelchairs. It’s not a psychological problem.

So what is it?

MS is a neurological disease in which lesions form in the central nervous system, interrupting the transmission of signals to the rest of the body…

Read this post in its entirety:

11 Basics to Understanding Multiple Sclerosis

Suppose you are a health insurer in a state that does not allow you to discriminate against people who submit large claims. If you can’t legally dump the sick, what’s an insurer to do? Well, you can always dump the entire plan and everyone on it. Illegal no. Immoral yes. Greedy Insurers Reconsider Dumping the ‘Dogs’ after Public Outrage.

How about this gem… In most states, it often costs more to be a woman than to be a male smoker; more than 60 percent of best-selling plans charged 40-year-old female non-smokers more than 40-year-old male smokers… and that’s just one of the 6 Shockers About Women’s Health Care.

First we heard about Alex, the 17 pound baby boy from Colorado who was turned down for health insurance for being too big, even though he was quite healthy. Now comes the story of a two year-old, also from Colorado, who was turned down for health insurance because she is too small. Can you really be too small for health insurance?

Hero is not a word that should be used lightly, but reserved for people who truly inspire, or leave us with a sense of awe at their accomplishments or their outlook. MS (multiple sclerosis) heroes are not necessarily the people who make the news or have famous names, or the ones who manage impressive physical feats. Some of my MS heroes don’t even have multiple sclerosis. The MS Heroes Among Us are many, but they may not necessarily know it.

That’s a wrap for this week.

Read more:
Care2 Healthy & Green Living with MS
Care2 Reform Health Policy

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WebCamp One, LLC: Full-service website design, management, and development company with clients throughout the USA and Canada. Expert in standards compliant website design. From website management to freelance writing, we’ve got the web covered.

Visit: AnnPietrangelo.com Contact: writer@webcampone.com

Photo: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1004852

Suppose you are a health insurer in a state that does not allow you to discriminate against people who submit large claims. If you can’t legally dump the sick, what’s an insurer to do?  Well, you can always dump the entire plan and everyone on it.

That’s what New York’s Guardian Life Insurance Company did when things got expensive for 37 year-old Ian Pearl, who has muscular dystrophy.

One Guardian Life executive went so far as to call call high-cost patients such as Mr. Pearl “dogs” that the company could “get rid of.”

Read this post in its entirety:

Greedy Insurers Reconsider Dumping the ‘Dogs’ after Public Outrage

Photo: Centers for Disease Control

Can the health insurance industry get any more ridiculous?

First we heard about Alex, the 17 pound baby boy from Colorado who was turned down for health insurance for being too big, even though he was quite healthy.

Now comes the story of a two year-old, also from Colorado, who was turned down for health insurance because she is too small. Not unhealthy, mind you, just tiny for her age according to insurer standards.

Read this post in its entirety:

Toddler Too Small for Health Insurance

Photo: Centers for Disease Control

Should being born female be considered a pre-existing condition that translates into higher health insurance premiums… or a C-section be classified as a pre-existing condition… or basic maternity care require a special rider on a woman’s insurance policy?

Does it seem even remotely fair that a victim of domestic violence be denied health insurance coverage?

The insurance industry certainly thinks so.

Or how about this gem… The National Women’s Law Center looked at premiums charged 40-year-old female non-smokers versus 40-year-old male smokers. In most states, it often costs more to be a woman than to be a male smoker; more than 60% of best-selling plans charged 40-year-old female non-smokers more than 40-year-old male smokers.

Read this post in its entirety:

6 Shockers About Women’s Health Care

Do you have an MS hero?

Hero is not a word that should be used lightly, but reserved for people who truly inspire, or leave us with a sense of awe at their accomplishments or their outlook.

MS heroes are not necessarily the people who make the news or have famous names, or the ones who manage impressive physical feats. Some of my MS heroes don’t even have multiple sclerosis.

Find out about my heroes, and give your own heroes a tip of the hat… Read this post in its entirety:

The MS Heroes Among Us

The Care2 Swine Flu Project went live this week, with bloggers from Healthy and Green Living joining the Causes bloggers to share information and opinion on the swine flu vaccine program. Opinions run strong not only among the bloggers, but throughout the various polls and comment sections. My contribution to the effort: Safety Concerns Swirl Around H1N1 Vaccine.

And speaking of disease, did you know that less than one-third of men and two-thirds of women wash their hands with soap after using the restroom! Wash Your Hands or Pay the Consequences!

Life with multiple sclerosis is anything but predictable. MS doesn’t come with a road map, a GPS system, or a set of directions. There is no forgone conclusion — and despite the uncertainty, that’s good news. Find out more about A Typical Life with Multiple Sclerosis.

I received more than my usual share of emails this week from people who either have MS, or suspect that they do, and are in need of support. It seems there are a lot of folks who just don’t know where to turn. I’m not a medical professional, but am always willing lend a friendly ear, share my own story, and generally “listen.” I’ve been where they are and it’s a tough road.

Progress on the health care reform front this week:Baucus Bill Passes Senate Finance Committee with Snowe on Board. This is merely the beginning of the long, hard negotiations. Now, isn’t it Time to Strip Health Insurers of Antitrust Exemption?

A nod to fellow Care2 blogger Steve Williams, who shares his personal Coming Out Story in his usual honest and thought-provoking style. And to blogger Nina Neely, of YLaunch.com, who pours her heart and soul in to every written word.

Read more:
Care2 – Healthy & Green Living with MS
Care2 Reform Health Policy

Connect:
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WebCamp One, LLC: Full-service website design, management, and development company with clients throughout the USA and Canada. Expert in standards compliant website design. From website management to freelance writing, we’ve got the web covered.

Visit: AnnPietrangelo.com Contact: writer@webcampone.com

Photo: Centers for Disease Control

October 15 was Global Handwashing Day — seriously. And it is a serious matter — clean hands save lives!

A study published by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine indicates that less than one-third of men and two-thirds of women wash their hands with soap after using the restroom! Well that’s fairly disgusting. Researchers studied the behavior of a quarter of a million people using restrooms in Britain, and used sensors to monitor soap use.

Hand washing is the simplest — and cheapest — way to avoid getting sick, helping to prevent the common cold, diarrheal diseases, respiratory infections, MRSA, food-borne illnesses such as salmonella and E. coli, and of course, the swine flu (H1N1), among other things.

Read this post in its entirety:

Wash Your Hands or Pay the Consequences!

Should the health insurance industry be exempt from the same anti-trust laws that apply to other industries? Should they be allowed to create monopolies in individual markets and set prices with little or no competition?

The truth is, they have enjoyed this perk since 1946, but Senate Democrats are pushing back against the powerful insurance lobby.

Do you agree with the Democrats who want to repeal the McCarran-Ferguson Act… or do you believe health insurers should continue to enjoy this perk?

Read this post in its entirety, watch the video, and answer the poll:

Time to Strip Health Insurers of Antitrust Exemption!

Photo: BioGuide.Congress.Gov

The Senate Finance Committee has approved the Baucus health care bill by a vote of 14-9.

Far from the end of the story, health care reform has reached a major turning point.

Until now, no Republican Senator has voted for any of the health care reform bills that have made their way through congressional committees this year.

This time, Republican Olympia J. Snowe of Maine is on board, saying, “Is it all that it can be? Far from it. But when history calls, history calls.” Her break from the party line, while expected, is welcome news. She was careful to add that she still opposes a government-run public option.

Read this post in its entirety:

Baucus Bill Passes Senate Finance Committee with Snowe on Board